Tripods/Monopods/lens for Winter work

[ccaruso]

Hello,

I will be working in the Alps for 3 months and would like some advice regarding my questions below if any of you have had similar experiences - it's a new experience for me.

1) I need to get a tripod or monopod(?) for outdoor shooting, can anyone recommend what might work best in these very cold and slightly unstable environments? Something with limited fiddling(quick release) and light is important, lugging too much stuff on snow shoes is not fun. The pedcopods.com look interesting - if I can find a stable branch that's not iced over?

2) Also, any recommendations on what type of lens' I might need for my G1 such as a telephoto or wide angle that can handle these environments and temperatures?

ANy overall advice for shooting in this environment would be more than appreciated - other than what I should carry in my flask. : )

merci,
Carole

[jrobbins]

I have the Pedco which I love because it's tiny, light, relatively stable, and has a long velcro strap that allows me to lash it to a vertical or horizontal support. I always have it in my bag, so it's there even if I don't bring a full-size tripod.

For the G1, especially if I were going to go hiking, I'd choose a monopod. It won't provide the same type of stability of a proper tripod, but it's a vast improvement over hand-holding. For monopods, you should probably choose according to length and weight to make sure you have something you're willing to pack with you.

As an aside, I once met an old-timer while hiking in the Adirondacks who was carrying a really gorgeous, well-used hickory walking stick, into which he'd mounted a tripod mounting screw. It was his version of a monopod. :)